Hot topics in August

What’s that you’re doing, Mr. Dünhaupt?

Ole Dünhaupt, 36,

design verification engineer

…has worked for Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg for six years

“Just now I’m taking a look at a seat in a First Class cabin, although I actually spend most of my time developing and testing concepts for aircraft cabins. How big can we make the seats, exactly where should they be installed, what are the best spots for galley and lavatories? Every element has to be precisely positioned, and that also means factoring in the stability and load-bearing capacity of each individual aircraft. When a cabin concept changes – because new seats are being introduced, say – my coworkers and I have to plan separately for each aircraft type. As soon as the first of a particular aircraft model is actually being refitted, I am on constant stand-by, ready to find solutions to unforeseeable problems that may arise. Once the retrofit has been completed, it’s my job to check the entire installation and draw up an acceptance report for the aviation authorities. The upgrading of further aircraft of the same model is then a routine job.”